Evolution of DisplayPort

In 2006, the Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) designed a new display interface to compete with HDMI: the DisplayPort. Since then DisplayPort has become more and more popular in the computer world. Let’s take a look at the evolution of DisplayPort over the years.

DisplayPort is the first display interface which applies packetized data transmission, like Ethernet, USB and PCIe. Unlike legacy standards that transmit a clock signal over each output, the DisplayPort protocol is based on small data packets known as micro packets, which can embed the clock signal within the data stream. This allows higher resolution using fewer pins in addition to make DisplayPort extensible, meaning that additional features can be added over time without significant changes to the physical interface.

Since 2006, the DisplayPort specification has been evolving with the following generations:

v1.2-1.2a (2010 - 2013): The most significant improvements are the doubling of the effective bandwidth to 17.28 Gbit/s in High Bit Rate 2 (HBR2) mode and the multiple independent video streams called Multi-Stream Transport.

v1.3 (2014): DisplayPort 1.3 increases overall transmission bandwidth to 32.4 Gbit/s (25.82Gbit/s data rate) with the new HBR3 mode featuring 8.1 Gbit/s per lane. This bandwidth is sufficient for a 4K UHD display, a 5K display, or even an 8K UHD display.

In 2018, VESA announced that work has begun on the next generation DisplayPort and they’re looking to double the available bandwidth versus the current HBR3 signaling standard. The goal is to publish the standards update by 2019.

With the availability of the Cadence Verification IP for DisplayPort up to v1.4a, adopters can start working with these specifications immediately, ensuring compliance with the standard and achieving the fastest path to IP and SoC verification closure. The DisplayPort VIP provides a full-stack solution for Sink and Source devices with a comprehensive coverage model, protocol checkers and an extensive test suite. More details are available in DisplayPort Verification IP product page.